The AskHistorians Podcast AskHistorians Podcast Episode 232: Conversation with Dr. Justin Sledge on public history
Nov 21, 2024
Dr. Justin Sledge, who runs the YouTube channel Esoterica and teaches philosophy, shares insights on the fusion of academia and public history. He discusses the challenges of making esoteric knowledge accessible through digital platforms. Sledge emphasizes the need for reliable sources amidst misinformation and the ethical responsibilities of content creators. He also explores the intricacies of working with ancient languages and the importance of sympathetic criticism in discussing sensitive historical topics.
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From Academia to YouTube Success
- Justin Sledge started his YouTube channel Esoterica after failing to secure an academic job in his niche field.
- He grew the channel to over 700,000 subscribers by offering academically rigorous content on esotericism.
YouTube Strategy and Branding
- Use branding, style, and consistency to build trust and audience retention on YouTube.
- Strategically mix popular topics to attract viewers and esoteric content to deepen engagement.
Proactive Content Against Misinformation
- Justin avoids reactive content to disinformation and instead populates YouTube with academic, reliable information.
- He believes proactive informative content counters misinformation better than engaging conspiracy theories directly.